KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has called on the Sabah Law Society (SLS) to provide its input to reinforce Sabah’s claim to the 40 per cent special grant from the Federal Government.
He said SLS’s input, to be presented to the State Attorney General’s Chambers and the State Finance Ministry, is crucial for strengthening the framework guiding Sabah’s ongoing engagement with the Federal Government.
“During the meeting, I listened to the SLS’s views. I have asked them to provide detailed input and present it to the State Attorney-General and the State Finance Ministry to further strengthen our case,” he said after meeting SLS president Datuk Mohamed Nazim Maduarin and former president Datuk Roger Chin at his residence on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister’s request follows the October 17 High Court judgment which ordered the Federal Government to hold discussions with the State Government within 90 days on the constitutional grant.
Beyond the 40 per cent special grant, the Chief Minister who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman wants the SLS to be part of the team formulating the Sabah Sovereign Wealth Fund (SSWF) framework, including drafting its enactment.
The establishment of Sabah’s first sovereign wealth fund, a core pledge under the GRS election manifesto launched on November 17 aims to raise the State’s annual revenue to RM10 billion by 2030.Initial capital for the SSWF will be drawn from a portion of Sabah’s state reserves, ensuring long-term financial stability for future generations.
A fixed percentage of Sabah’s 40 per cent special grant from Putrajaya will also be channelled into the fund annually. The Chief Minister said besides government representatives, the SSWF team will also include professionals and experts in investment, finance, and law.
Also present were Minister of Domestic Trade and Living Costs and GRS Deputy Secretary-General, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and State Attorney-General, Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh.-pr/BNN
